FEDOR CONFIRMED FOR JUNE RETURN AGAINST WERDUM

The speculation about the return of Fedor Emelianenko has been running rampant ever since the Russian heavyweight was not one of the fighters scheduled to compete on the upcoming Strikeforce on CBS show on April 17. The former Pride champion has been rumored to face former UFC fighter Fabricio Werdum for months, while new rumors have popped up saying he will next compete in Japan against Hidehiko Yoshida in his retirement match. Strikeforce president Scott Coker addressed the rumors and put to bed much of the speculation around where Fedor would be fighting next when he spoke to reporters following Dream 13 on Monday in Japan. "M-1 Global and Strikeforce entered into a three fight contract exclusive for Fedor to fight in a co-promotion between Strikeforce and M-1 Global, and as you know we did the first fight on Nov 7 in Chicago," said Coker. "Fedor is now scheduled to fight in June towards the end of the month in America against Fabricio Werdum." With the fight with Werdum now confirmed, the only thing left remaining is if Fedor could actually be able to fight Yoshida in Japan, and as of right now it doesn’t sound like that is likely to happen. "I’ve heard the rumors as well, and as I know more I will let the media know in American, and let the media know here, but I believe that’s just a rumor," Coker said when speaking about the fight with Fedor and Yoshida. Now that some of the questions have been answered, the only thing looming overhead is when Fedor could possibly compete for the Strikeforce heavyweight title, which is currently held by Alistair Overeem. Overeem will fight Brett Rogers on May 15 in St. Louis, but there has been no final word from Strikeforce if the heavyweight belt will be on the line or not.